Girls basketball: Morris takes over as Spring Valley rolls Winfield

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The future for the Spring Valley girls basketball team may be now.

Timberwolves Coach Bo Miller has said he thought his young squad was a year away from competing for the state championship.

After defeating visiting Winfield 70-47 in its Class AAA Region 3 co-final, Spring Valley will likely enter next week's state tournament as the second seed with a 22-3 record and an eight-game winning streak.

"I hope they can handle it," Miller said. "They were a little awestruck tonight with the crowd we had and it took us a quarter and a half to get going."

The Generals (12-13) led 9-8 after the first quarter. A 12-2 run to open the second period turned the tide.

A 3-pointer by sophomore point guard Sarah Kelly kick-started the run. After that, sophomore post player Madison Morris took over.

The 6-foot-1 Morris finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds.

"We've come to expect that out of her," Miller said. "But we've got a lot of girls that can play."

Opponents and fans have not seen the full range of her talents yet, Miller said.

"We have to play her in the post," he said. "But she can play the two or three spots."

The Timberwolves start three sophomores and two seniors. The first three players off the bench are usually sophomores, and two freshmen see lots of playing time.

"I think we're ready," she said. "We'll definitely just go for it."

Madison Morris' older sister, Mackenzie, missed the second half of last year due to knee surgery.

"There will be pressure but I think we can adjust," Madison said of her senior sister.

The younger Morris has been the offensive leader all season for Spring Valley, averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kelly averages almost 11 points a game and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Winfield.

The Timberwolves use their depth to apply full-court pressure for most of every game. When opponents return the favor, Spring Valley's point guard is Kelly, who handles the pressure with relative ease.

Madison Morris enters the state tournament with a fairly low profile, but that is likely to change.